Dr. Kate Balestrieri, PSY.D., CSAT-S

Kate Balestrieri, PSY.D., CSAT-SExecutive Director & Co-Founder

Dr. Kate Balestrieri, Psy.D., CSAT-S, is a Licensed Clinical and Forensic Psychologist in CA and IL, and Certified Sex Addiction Therapist – Supervisor. She earned her Doctorate of Clinical Psychology from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology, Chicago, with a concentration in Forensic Psychology. In over 12 years of clinical experience, she has conducted clinical and forensic evaluations, served as an expert witness, and provided treatment in clinical, forensic, and correctional settings. In private practice, Dr. Balestrieri works with adolescents, adults, and couples to address a variety of mental health concerns. In addition to individual and couples’ therapy, she conducts comprehensive cognitive and personality assessments, differential diagnosis evaluations, and screenings for the presence of alcohol/drug addiction or sex/love addiction, or compulsive relationship behavior.

Her approach to assessment and psychotherapy is guided by the integration of psychodynamic, interpersonal neurobiological, attachment focused, cognitive behavioral, and systemic principles, and incorporates evidenced-based research on the connection between thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations. Dr. Balestrieri works diligently to create an individually tailored treatment plan for each patient, to maximize their unique strengths and assist them in actualizing their individual and relational potential.

Currently, Dr. Balestrieri maintains her role as the Executive Director and Cofounder of Triune Therapy Group in Brentwood, CA. She also teaches a course dedicated to the treatment of Sexual Abuse and Human Trafficking at Antioch University, in the Trauma Specialization Program, and is the Cohost of Behind Closed Doors with Dr. Kate & Lauren, a weekly radio show on Talk Radio 790 KABC dedicated to the dissemination of topical information associated with sex, relationships, addiction, mental health, and related social issues. Dr. Balestrieri is currently writing a book called F*ck You, F*ck Me: Rage, Sex and Money in Relationships and Society. This book explores the relationships people maintain with anger, money and sexuality as a primary defense against relational pain, and how their attempts to stay safe in relationships end up ultimately thwarting their bids for intimacy.

Historically, she has provided therapeutic services at the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), the Center for Healthy Sex in Los Angeles, CA and Promises Treatment Centers, in Malibu, CA, in the Substance Abuse and Intimacy Disorders and Residential Chemical Dependence programs, treating clients with co-occurring addiction and psychiatric issues. Passionate about advocacy, Dr. Balestrieri serves as a volunteer member on the board of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) and has previously served as the volunteer Clinical Director for the Los Angeles chapter of A Home Within, an organization dedicated to pairing foster care involved youth with a pro bono therapist in the community.

Before relocating to CA in 2014, Dr. Balestrieri had a successful private practice in Chicago’s Gold Coast neighborhood, and worked at the Illinois Department of Corrections, the Cook County Juvenile Court Clinic, the Illinois Department of Human Services, Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice, where she treated incarcerated adults and adjudicated youth with myriad needs, while exploring the intersection of mental illness, trauma, and addiction and the legal system. Additionally, Dr. Balestrieri is also trained in alternative dispute resolution, and is a member of the American Psychological Association, American Psychology Law Society, California Psychological Association, and the International Institute for Trauma and Addiction Professionals.